Hi.

I'm Zach.

I make things.

Print

Web

Branding

Illustration

HTML5/CSS3

SASS

JavaScript

PHP

Let's create

something

awesome

together

Web & Graphic Design

Before anything else, I'm a designer. It informs everything I do.

I believe being a designer means you think about how the thing works, not just how it looks. You examine it from every angle, peer into the details, and then let that knowledge inform your every decision.

That's how to create something truly well-designed.

Front-end & Back-end Development

What started as a basic working knowledge of HTML and CSS, has morphed into something else entirely.

I'm well versed in JavaScript and PHP, and have a working knowledge of bash, SQL, and Python.

With a strong foundation in the underlying languages, I can skillfully use any common framework built on top. For JavaScript, I like working with jQuery and React. When it comes to PHP, WordPress is my preferred CMS.

HTML5 • CSS 3

Development

Every site I build is written in modern, standards-compliant HTML5 and CSS3 and I'm a firm believer in progressive enhancement.

JavaScript

Development

I think JavaScript is like hot sauce.

When it's used skillfully it adds an exciting pop, but you don't need it in everything, and a little goes a long way.

PHP

Development

It isn't fancy. It isn't what "all the cool kids are using". But you know what PHP is? Dependable. That's what I look for in my server-side tools.

These are the same reasons why I use MySQL for all my database needs.

WordPress

Design • Development

Custom Themes

WooCommerce • Sensei

I love WordPress. It's a fabulous tool with an incredible community. I specialize in custom theme development, and have experience integrating with popular plugins like WooCommerce and Sensei.

I also had the honor of being the keynote speaker at the first ever WordCamp Scranton in 2015.

Adoption Information Services

for Hire Jordan Smith

Design

A site designed to provide individuals on both sides of the adoption process with valuable information and resources. Adoption Information Services was looking for a site that was warm and inviting, featured prominent imagery, and had a touch of character.

Athletes Treating Athletes

for Zen Design Firm

Development

Provided with another great design by Zen Design Firm, I built a custom WordPress theme for Athletes Treating Athletes. A combination blog/ecommerce site, featuring a subscription-based eLearning platform, Athletes Treating Athletes was a complicated build with a lot of moving parts that runs like a finely tuned machine.

Axelson Aviation

for Apoterra Design

Design

A concept design done for Apoterra Design. The brief was to create a clean and modern logo design for a fictional airline company. The mark needed to be usable at small sizes and across a wide range of applications.

Blizzard Rock Brewery

for Apoterra Design

Design

A concept design done for Apoterra Design. The brief was to create a logo and poster for a fictional microbrewery. Something you might see hanging up in a local bar, advertising their brand. A design that's a bit retro without being too kitschy.

Blue Mountain Sign Crafters

Design

Blue Mountain Sign is a family-owned and operated sign making business. Specializing in quality sign work for other small businesses, we created a flexible mark which works well in many different contexts.

Roofing by Bruce

Design

Roofing by Bruce is a family-owned and operated roofing and chimney company. They were looking for a modern interpretation of a retro look, inspired by vintage ads from the 1950s and 60s.

Christian Griffin

Design

Christian Griffin is a backend developer, looking for a mark that looked different than what you'd see on your average developers portfolio site. He was looking for something that visualized what it's like to be a backend developer, connecting together different parts and pieces to create a cohesive whole. The node elements combine to form both a "C" shape as well as an abstract "G".

Little Ducklings Daycare

for Apoterra Design

Design

A concept design done for Apoterra Design. The brief was to create a logo for a fictional daycare. They were looking for something modern, but still conveyed character. A mark flexible and simple, with a dash of whimsy.

Green Ridge Academy

for Apoterra Design

Design

A concept design done for Apoterra Design. The brief was to create a flexible brand for a fictional private school. They were looking for something that wasn't too traditional or too modern. Something that conveyed quality and determination.

Juniper Creek

for Apoterra Design

Design

A concept design done for Apoterra Design. The brief was to create a brand for a Bed and Breakfast that also had a spa and restaurant on the premises. The base brand of "Juniper Creek" needed to pair with all the different sub-brands and accommodate a wide variety of use cases.

Twenty Pho Seven

for Apoterra Design

Design

A concept design done for Apoterra Design. The brief was to create a logo for a small franchise of fictional Vietnamese restaurants, and then design a door hanger menu featuring that mark for theoretical marketing purposes.

Vandalay Investments

for Apoterra Design

Design

A concept design done for Apoterra Design. The brief was to create a logo and poster for a fictional investment company. Something you might see hanging up in their waiting room, or used as a bus ad.

Southern Belle Rentals

for Hire Jordan Smith

Design

This was a real pleasure to work on. A site designed to showcase and sell rental properties in Savannah, GA and the surrounding area, Southern Belle lets the properties do the talking. We went with a monochromatic color scheme and let the phenomenal photography light up the page.

Svenson Industries

for Apoterra Design

Design

A concept design done for Apoterra Design. The brief was to create a logo and letterhead for a fictional industrial company. They were looking for something that was strong and corporate, but different than your average monochromatic designs.

That Butterfly Feeling

Design

That Butterfly Feeling makes handcrafted jewelry with an emphasis on natural materials and gem stones. They were looking for a simple mark that walked the line between elegance and whimsy.

Tunkhannock Public Library

for Zen Design Firm

Development

Provided with a great design by Zen Design Firm, I built a custom WordPress theme for Tunkhannock Public Library. One piece that I'm especially proud of is the menu. Hidden behind an icon, the tiered menu allows for all the links the client requests without becoming overwhelming to the average visitor. The menu is fully responsive and works very well on small screens.